(Photos by Bald Punk)

St. Paul’s Chapel is on Broadway by City Hall Park. Behind it is Ground Zero. It was founded in 1764. It is the oldest public building in use in NYC.  George Washington worshiped there on his Inauguration Day, April 30, 1789. Below you will find a photo of his pew.

I’ve passed St. Paul’s a gazillion times and this was the first time I went inside. I am ashamed.  Now that I think about it, I’ve never been inside Trinity Church.  Fuggedaboutit the Statue of Liberty . . .

I’ve been inside the Empire State Building twice. Though I did take these great photos: Empire State Building and Empire State Building at Night.

Plus, I could count on one hand all the Broadway shows I’ve seen.

Here are my STORIES and PHOTOS

(Photos by Bald Park)

Bryant Park on 42nd Street and 6th Avenue is one of my favorite places in NYC. It’s tough to walk on past without stopping.

I have more photos of Bryant Park that I took a half hour before these. I will probably put them up with ones that I also took of the public library, which is adjacent to the park.

Here are related photos:

Bryant Park (No snow)

42nd Street & 6th Ave

Skyscrapers in the Snow (Took some of these from Bryant Park)

Here are my STORIES and PHOTOS

(Photos by Bald Punk – Central Park W & 72nd St) 

I could retrace my steps to this morning and point out little signs that indicated something otherworldly lay in my path. Not that what ensued was earth-shattering. I had another encounter with a ghost. Yet it’s interesting to note how sometimes when I have such a meeting, I find that I’m at crossroads–a window between real and fantastical, a point where it’s possible to slip away forever. 

All day I was aware that I was headed for a crossroads. Indistinct flashes and barely perceivable sounds were the auguries. 

I had to go out on two estimates in Brooklyn for my job. I was back in Manhattan by half past three, riding on the 4 Train. I jumped off the subway car at Union Square and headed uptown on foot, wanting to emulate John Adams and his son, Quincy. They would walk five miles a day for exercise. 

I like to walk real fast, and think what I do could be considered a stalking walk.

I headed up Fifth Avenue, where the buildings were already submerged in gloaming shadows. Soon after I realized something was amiss. The color didn’t quite fit with the overcast skies. It was bluer than it should have been. 

Sometimes the night in NYC can be old world spooky. There’s a look to the light that brings to mind what it must have looked like in the gaslight era. 

Today the twilight was like that. 

The temperature hovered below the freezing mark all day, and with the coming dark, it quickly fell into the twenties. The wind blew hard, whipping up dust and debris. 

More and more I heard whispers and noise shots, none of which I could place. 

I should have scooted down into the subway and went right home. That was the safe choice. Instead, I stalked on–heading right for the heart and soul of otherworldly NYC– 

I passed The Plaza Hotel and headed into Central Park!

(The Plaza Hotel)

The gloaming hour was at its gloomiest. (When my lady friend reads this she will do some major head shaking. I’m supposed to steer clear of Central Park at twilight.) 

I was in the southeast corner, called Grand Army Plaza. It’s not to be confused with the Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, which is the main entrance to Prospect Park in Brooklyn. 

Still pounding the pavement, I took the main road that curves around an “irregular” shaped pond called The Pond. The black surface rippled and reflected shimmering city lights. 

(Central Park – The Pond)

Given the wind and cold, I was a little surprised to see so many people strolling about. But something was in the air . . . 

In addition to the usual types, there were more joggers than normal, and a smattering of tourists, which most times bring a smile to my face. It’s great to see someone possibly experiencing NYC for the first time—especially in an enchanted place and time. 

I was enjoying a wonderful vibe and took in the stately buildings that rise up past the jagged lines of treetops.

(Central Park) 

A horse and carriage snuck up alongside me. I didn’t hear the clop of hooves or the cartwheels rolling over the pavement until a moment before I turned. 

The driver had on a stove pipe hat, the brim of which cast a swatch of darkness across his down-turned head. 

Yet I recognized the hat and the skinny body. Slowing my pace, I raised a fist and cried, “You’re the guy that stole my f—king dog!” 

He pulled the horse to a stop and smiled amiably, seeming less crafty than I remember. “My name is Felix,” he said. “I’m sorry I was so rude, and didn’t properly introduce myself last time we met.” 

I stepped away from the carriage. A group of young Asians took photos of the carriage. Felix turned sideways on the seat, and tipped his hat to their flashing cameras. He turned back to me. “Please, step up inside.” 

I edged forward and leaned over for a look inside the carriage. Someone was bundled with a blanket in the back bench-seat that was covered by a canopy. I stared for a full ten seconds, until in a manner I can’t explain, the blankets fell away to reveal an apparition. It was of a man dressed in a fine suit of clothes. The most striking articles were a velvet vest and a collared-shirt that had stark white ruffles. 

 “You’re . . . you’re . . . the guy that sent him to steal my f—king dog!” I cried, having a tough time saying getting his name out, which was “P.T. Barnum.” 

“I’m sorry about that,” Barnum said, moving his face past the shadow of the canopy and into the low light. The bottom of his nose was shaped like three cloves of garlic, and his face was remarkably flat and squarish. Bald at the crown, his hair was straggly, unkempt, and fell below his ears. 

(Barnum & Tom Thumb) 

“It’s not like I operate in the place of the living,” Barnum said with a ring of sadness. “I haven’t for quite some time.” He gave a closed mouth smile that was both affable and pained. “You see, I’m not the person you think I am.” He patted the seat next to him. “Please, sit with me. Let us talk.” 

My instincts told me that he could be trusted.

“That’s why I came to you,” he continued, “because I am so very misunderstood. My legacy is not what it should be.” 

I made a face like I tasted something sour. Now don’t go crazy as to why I did–not that you would . . . For the life of me I couldn’t think what to say as I wondered, Why does this old circus nut think I can help him. 

He patted the seat again. A bunch of teens nearby broke out into laughter. They sounded wild and unrestrained, like the hour.

I stepped up into the carriage and sat next to P. T. Barnum. The first thing I noticed was that he smelled like “winter” mint. 

Barnum then went on to tell me certain things about myself. The whole time my jaw was practically hanging wide open. 

To be continued . . . 

— 

Here are the posts in this series:  Episode Twenty-Four – December 2009/January 2010 

Search for Scrappy D! 

Barnum in Central Park 

The Elephant and the Looking Glass

Here are my STORIES and PHOTOS

(Photos by Bald Punk)

NYC looks great when it snows, though it’s a little difficult to photograph. The key is to keep the wind at your back.

–

Okay, so this post starts off the New Year. With the passing of each month, I’m more and more excited about this blog. I’m sure it will be  a good year.

Here are my STORIES and PHOTOS

(Photos by Bald Punk)

I took these photos around 930am this morning. I thought I would see more nuts hanging around waiting for the ball to drop tonight.

In all my years, I’ve never been in Times Square at midnight. It’s one of those touristy things that’s of no interest to most New Yorkers.

Have a Happy and Safe New Years everyone!!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Bald Punk 

Here are my STORIES and PHOTOS

(Photos by Bald Punk)

These photos are just okay. They look cloudy, maybe I should have wiped the lens. The sun wasn’t too strong . . . Hmmm.

I probably should have shrunk them down more. I promise better in the New Year.

Today my Google PageRank rose to “4.” Whatever.

Here are my STORIES and PHOTOS

(Photos by Bald Punk - Lafayette Estates, Bronx)

I wanted to put up a few quick photos, because I like to post something everyday. They are nothing spectacular, though the one with the van, I caught a pigeon mid-flight as it passed through the frame. That one is from 2nd Ave in Harlem.

Here are my STORIES and PHOTOS

(Photos by Bald Punk)

In this set of photos the birds were very cooperative. There is a beautiful Cardinal in two of them along with some pigeons and maybe a seagull or two that flapped into the frames. There’s even a cat who was lounging by an angel.

I took these photos at around 1pm last Sunday. It seemed odd that the church was locked up.

Here are my STORIES and PHOTOS

(Photos by Bald Punk – 9/11 memorial at Staten Island University Hospital, north site)

There are 9/11 memorials all over the City. Each one always makes me stop and reflect on what happened that day and all the people we lost.

This is a particularly beautiful memorial, just like all the others.

Here are my STORIES and PHOTOS

(Photos by Bald Punk – St. John the Divine)

A few weeks ago I downloaded a trial copy of Adobe Photoshop. I wish I would have done so sooner. I love it!

The above photo took just a couple of minutes to dress-up. Now all I need is a some ink for my inkjet and I can make my own posters.

Here is the original photo:

Here are my STORIES and PHOTOS